Thursday, May 24, 2012

Ultimate Reset: Journey from a fellow coach

The Ultimate Reset is a new product that Beachbody just came out with.
Basically, it is a clense that uses food, minerals and vitamins to "reset" your body to its original and natural settings by ridding all the toxins that have built up over the years. I reallllllllly want to try it! Since I haven't yet, here is a fellow coaches journey.

Dear Boys and Girls,

I initially got on board with the Ultimate Reset 21-Day Cleanse because I saw a few of my coach friends get amazing results. They lost anywhere from 8 to 21 pounds in 21 days. Wow. For the past year, I have felt that I’ve been carrying about 5 extra pounds that I haven’t been able to get off without feeling deprived or being extreme. Despite hearing from past cleansers how they felt calm, centered, were sleeping better, had gotten rid of cellulite, among other benefits, I wanted to do it for weight loss.That, for me, was the sticking point.

Let me state clearly: many people lose weight during the Ultimate Reset Cleanse, but that is a secondary benefit. Some people don’t lose any at all. If you are simply dependent on the number on the scale, you might be disappointed. More importantly, you might very well miss out on the opportunity to notice what other changes are happening.

Miraculously, and I really do mean miraculously, I was able to take the focus away from my body and focus on the experience of the cleanse. Why? Headaches knocked me over the first few days, followed by body aches. Yup, the detoxification process was in full effect. To me, the pains and discomfort I was feeling were a sure sign that my body needed this cleanse. They were a clear indication to me that this cleanse and this experience as a whole were much more than just about weight loss.

As I entered week 2, my pains all disappeared. Easy-peasy, I thought. It’s gonna be smooth sailing. But without the pains and left only with the feeling of a dull hunger and no dramatic weight loss, I had moments when I asked myself, “Why the f** am I doing this?” I think as a culture we get so addicted to outcomes and results. I know I’m like that. I like to set goals and see measurable results. Well, when my tape measure wouldn’t budge, I invited myself to look inward. The desire of wanting my pants to fall off (ok, I exaggerate) didn’t prevent me from taking note of the changes and the experience within.

I could have thrown in the towel out of frustration that my pants weren’t much looser or that I wasn’t feeling super duper energetic as I’ve heard other participants say they felt. It was my willingness to be mindful and curious about the experience that has made it so worthwhile and that has kept me going.

I have discovered that I love food and cooking. I like cooking for myself and others and I like trying out new recipes. Food is no longer just a tool (gosh, how awful) to get me my ideal body. It’s a source of nourishment for my mind and spirit. Wow, it’s like I took that straight from some zen cookbook, but really, I mean it. My time in the kitchen and at the kitchen table have become a time of reflection and nurturing. Who ever thought that I could find my zone in the kitchen?

I don’t quite understand how the supplements I’ve been taking detox your body or the scientific reason as to why I feel so centered and calm. And you know what? I’ll leave that to the scientists and to the folks who love to analyze things to pieces. I know the behaviors and actions that have gotten me to this point: remaining open to new experiences and taking the time to fully be in the experience, whatever that experience may be. I understand that being present is a lifelong journey, a daily practice. I’m up for the challenge.

Your friend in health,
Barbie Decker, PhD

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